Need Advice on Vitamins for PMS Symtoms

B-Complex is a must for me. It helps a lot with the crabbyness and mood swings. I take extra around my period. Good luck!

Flax seed is awesome as well as regular exercize. I stopped having cramps after starting the T-Tapp routine.

I used to have horrible symptoms all month, from cramping when ovulating to horrible migraines. I started taking the teen vitamins from Arbonne (yes - they are chews because I gag swallowing pills and they are also much cheaper!) and using the Prolief hormone balancing cream (which is one of my best sellers!!). I was a total skeptic about the cream and now my husband calls it my happy cream :-) If you want more info on it, feel free to e-mail or call. Good luck!

Sincerely,
A. Wheeler
Independent Consultant
Regional Vice President
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Milk and vitamin E have always been helpful to me for PMS. I have also made some chocolate milk to satisfy that sweet actually chocolate craving and the milk tends to make things better the next day. Exercise also burns off some of that extra agitation.

Hope this helps!

I take Melaleuca vitamins and absolutely LOVE them! They are 90% soluble, so you receive SO MUCH MORE of the nutrients than your average pharmacy vitamin. The main thing I've noticed is EXTRA ENERGY since I started taking them (2 months ago). As a mama with 3 little ones ages 4 and under, I can use ALL the energy I can get! ;o)

Specifically for PMS, I would recommend these supplements:

Estr Aval- http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.productDetail&... This one is specifically for menopause, but many women take it because it helps SO MUCH with PMS symptoms! I lady recently told me that her teenage daughters take it every month with very good results.

Vitality Gold- http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.productDetail&... Here's another great one!

Painatrate lotion http://www.melaleuca.com/ps/index.cfm?f=ps.productDetail&... Rub it on your back or abdomen for relieving cramping and pain.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding these products! Hope this helps!

K.
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I think many women can relate...

I crave chocolate bad. It has magnesium in it. When I take a magnesium supplement it helps with the PMS. The bloating is something I just deal with-although cutting out soft drinks helps.

Make sure your multivitamin is one that disolves quickly in a regular glass of water. If it does not-it means it's poor quality and not combined correctly. Centrum brand is VERY bad about this-most people take them and do not get any benefit because it doesn't break down so the body can not absorb it. Could be they've changed their formula but as of 2 years ago I know this information to be true.

Acidopholous is ALWAYS a good thing to do. (Good bacteria also found in yogurt and buttermilk.) Aids in digestion, intestinal flora and helps avoid yeast infections.

Evening Primerose Oil capsules are also very helpful for PMS and Period problems. I take a 500 mg capsule every night the week before and during. Eases symptoms of both.

Raspberry tea can help with the severe bleeding too. I forget why it works but many midwives use it during childbirth too as it helps the body to loose less blood.

The fatigue and weakness could be caused by iron loss. You could be anemic but even if you test normal you're loosing Iron during heavy menstration-especially when it goes 5 days. Be sure your multivitamin has iron in it and try to enjoy iron rich foods as often as you can. There are iron supplements out there but caution must be used in taking them to avoid overdose. A side effect is constipation- you know it's too much if you react that way though. Supplements are supposed to help symptoms because it addresses the underlying cause. If one ever causes new symptoms-stop using it!

Wealth of material out there on this subject...

I've learned what I know from my mother, grandmother, books, a homeopathic doctor and the internet. Whatever you learn-be sure to teach it to others or pass the info down to your own daughters. :)

God Bless!

I fell in love with Rainbow Light vitamins!!!!! They are great for PMS and also for pregnancy. They have a Woman's One a Day that you can take while nursing and not pregnant. Then they have a Prenatal One.

B12 - B12 - B12 It has made all the difference for me. I took it after my first daughter, then after having my 2nd I nursed much longer and my cycles went nuts. I started taking B12 again after I weaned (along with a multi) and it has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE! Good luck, you are not alone!

You may also want to research Vitex/Chaste Berry. It's helpful for women struggling with infertility, but it's also great for women with PMS, wacky cycles, etc.

Dear Malini,

I am a health coach and Shaklee Distributor. The 6 products that have been shown to make a difference are GLA, Protein (preferably Soy), B-Complex (full spectrum), Cal Mag/OesteoMatrix/Vital Mag. Optifora and Nutriferon. You can check the product briefs at my website www.TrueHealthNuts.com. I also have some educational CD's which will give you a background on the why. Increase your calcium intake about a week before menstration (cravings for chocolate are indicative of need to increase the doseage of Cal Mag. Drink plenty of purified water 6 to 8 glass a day. Avoid caffiene, alcohol and all refined sugar and dairy products during the week before and during.

Our 52 year history with nutrition (we are the #1 natural natrional company in U.S.) gives us an incredible history from women with the same issue you are mentioning and not all vitamins are created equal. Check out the Shaklee difference online at www.theglobalsuccessteam.info (shaklee, shaklee is the password and ID - look for 30 Days of Shaklee).

I have more information if you would like me to send it to you.

Let me know if I can be of service.

G.
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I am from England and have lived over here over half my life. I do not have children (genetic issue) but I have an incredible commitment to make a difference in the life's of children so I support young moms in having their own home based business so they can stay at home with their children.

From what you list - fuzzy brain, bloating, and binging (maybe even craving) sweets in the pm, it sounds like you may have a yeast overgrowth that flairs up prior to your menstral bleeding. I may be WAY off base, but it's worth considering.

I've read that L-Tyrosine or L-Phenylalanine(amino acid supplements) can help decrease PMS symptoms by improving your serotonin levels. It's worth doing some research on! I've been researching supplements allot lately on the web. One site I found has a brain function questionnaire that I found helpful. http://store.drmurphreestore.com/brfuqu.html

Good luck!

Vitamin B12 is a wonder!!!

Malini,

I started vit. D after hearing that 80% of women are deficient with this vitamin. Our bodies do not absorb as much of D as we age and D is needed for calcium absorption. Added bonus, it has really helped my mood.

I was having extream PPD/PMS when i stopped Bfing, and i went into whole foods, and the girl there recommended the SAM-E pills. They help regulate hormone imbalance somehow...i guess, i don't know, but they helped me out soooo much!

I struggled with PMS for years. The fish oil, E, Primrose Oil (or Gamma Lineloic Acid is actually more concentrated and better. You take fewer pills and get better results), Caratanoids, Calcium - all good things. I , too was looking for a bioavailable supplement. I researched a lot of things and in the end relied on the research done by the company on their on supplements. 18 years ago I started using Shaklee supplements. They were the only ones that had science and research to back everything up plus organic pesticide free supplements. Anyway - because of that, I started a Shaklee business 18 years ago and would be glad to sit down and go over your symptoms and then make suggestions or give you written info on what might help. Let me know if I can help you - D. ###-###-####

Hi malini,
i don't know about the heavy bleeding,however if you take calcium you also need Magnesium and vitiamin D unles you are in the sun a lot. You can purchase Cal,Mag,D all in one. The sweets, will give you fatigue and also a fuzzy or foggy brain.
fish oil is good for you, you might try no flush Niacin sometimes called Sustained Realeased. I take 500mg but you might want to start with a lower mg. also instead of binging on sweets , you might want to try semi sweet dark chocolate chips. If you have a weight problem on your stomach it semi-sweet choc. will help you lose that. Milk choc. doesn't work.
choc kisses has to much sugar. I say that because someone mentioned cho. kisses. 1/4 cup a day will help the stomach weight, it doesn't work on other fat as it is caused from other things. stomach fat is caused from stress.

I have success by staying away from beef/pork, caffeine products, drinking lots of water, getting a lot of sleep, eating fruits/vegetables... walking... trying not to get stressed out. Taking aleve or tylenol about the time I think PMS is about to hit.

Hi Malini,
I just want to add to what Debbie R has told you. I had horrible PMS before Shaklee--migraines, cramps, severe irritability, etc. After taking Shaklee for just a short while, I would go to the bathroon and discover that my period has started with no symptoms at all! My period was also shortened from 10 days to three. This is still the case 15 years later.
I took Omegaguard, calcium-magnesium, Vita-E, B-complex, and soy protein.
Wishing you the best of health.
Victoria

I have experienced the same after two kids and also have PCOS. Honestly I would stop taking the multivitamin and if you insist on something such as that take a WHOLE FOOD supplement but if your diet is good you don't need any of that really. I'd also keep taking the Fish Oil but buy a good quality one otherwise you'll taste the "Fishy taste" if you belch. Sorry I know that is gross.

What I just started taking is Utrophin and Ovatrophin from Standard Process (thats the brand). They are supplements that will actually FIX your body...heal it. They are sold mostly by chiropractors or alternative health doctors. I'm not completely alternative but I do believe in alot of it and think its worth a shot before medical doctors want to just hand out a prescription or birth control pills. My chiropractor is Dr. Jason Venn in Frisco. He is fabulous and comes highly highly recommended. I've heard tons of good things about Standard process and cant' wait to see the benefits. I've already been taking one of their products called Zypan for digestive health (I have IBS) and it works wonders and it completely all natural - 100%.

I can't speak for any of the other products moms posted about but I'm a huge believe in what a chiropractor can do to fix your body naturally which adjustments. Mine uses the Gonstead technique so there is absolutely no twisting of the neck and he only adjusts exactly where you need it. I've even taken my 2 year old and my 10 month old.

Feel free to check back in with me if you want to see how I'm doing on the new supplements. Good luck!!!

Malini,
Herbalife makes three awesome products that I feel you could really benefit from:
1. Cell-u-Loss, which helps with the bloating
2. Tang Kuei Plus, which eases PMS discomfort and reduces stress
3. Snack Defense, helps control "snack attacks" over sweets and carbs!

You can read more about each product at my website: drweightlossmall.com and actually order online at my secure website. Or, if you prefer, give me a call--we can talk! ###-###-####.

D. Ricks

Hi Malini, I had pms very bad and I mean very bad!!! In the 90s there was a pms specialist in arlingtion that I saw. He was wonderful because his wife went through pms, so he understood all the frustrations. He has since moved but this is what he told me to do and it helped a lot!!!! It is not easy but here goes 1st get off all sugar, caffein and salt look at all the food you eat these are usually hidden in lots of products that you would'nt think of. If you need to sweeten your food use honey, molassas or any natural sugar. Start taking chromium picinilate this will help with the cravings. 2nd get a natural progesterone cream. Most whole foods or places where you can find natrual products. It can take up to 2 mos before you start to notice the difference but it should help.

Malini,

Vitamin C completely balanced my irregular cycle. No kidding. It was amazing! It is a very powerful adrenal support.

I order them in bulk (6 pack) at $7 per bottle, the cheapest I've found, from www.herbalhealer.com. I get the 1000 mg time release. Her products are very good. She sells other stuff too, like a multivitamin. I do NOT take Vit C at bedtime. I take them with meals throughout the day. Vit C dissipates quickly, so it's best to spread it out. As far as dosage, start with one or two tablets and increase as long as your body tolerates it. Bowel intolerance is a common symptom of too much. I've also heard some say headache can result. But you must take enough for your body in order for it to work.

Prior to this, I eliminated symptoms associated with my cycle (backache, heavy long periods) with yoga. Yoga is great for balancing hormones.

Good luck!

Prim Rose oil....and vitamin E. One of my best friends has been using this for months and feels as though her PMS is virtually gone. If you would like more information let me know.